Forklift scale attachment

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure describes a lift truck attachment system that includes a lift truck carriage with an upper carriage support and a lower carriage support secured between two support brackets. The lift truck carriage is dimensioned to fit at least partially between opposing masts of a lift truck, such that the upper and lower carriage supports do not extend substantially beyond a forward surface of the mast. A device assembly, is mounted to the lift truck carriage, the device assembly including a base portion removably secured to the upper and/or lower carriage supports via one or more attachments. The device assembly can include a carriage scale removably secured to the base portion, the carriage scale configured to support load handling fixtures, such as a lift fork. In some examples, a single carriage support is used.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Non-Provisional Patent Application of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/823,347 entitled “Forklift ScaleAttachment” filed Mar. 25, 2019, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Attachments to lift trucks can be added to a standard carriage thatnormally carries the lifting forks. This offsets the position of thelifting forks an additional distance from the front of the lift truck,extending the profile of the lift truck and potentially reducing thelifting capacity of the lift truck. Some attachments can include a scaleto measure a load of a lift truck scale. However, additional attachmentscan further extend the profile of the lift truck, reduce the liftcapacity, and make removal and/or repair of the scale difficult.

Accordingly, there is a need for an attachment to be mounted to a lifttruck that reduces the profile of the attachment and an associateddevice that is easy to install and remove.

SUMMARY

Disclosed is a lift truck attachment system that includes a lift truckcarriage. The lift truck carriage includes one or more support brackets,an upper carriage support secured to the one or more support brackets,and a lower carriage support secured to the one or more support bracketsand spaced from the upper carriage support, wherein the lift truckcarriage is dimensioned to fit at least partially between masts of alift truck. A weighing device includes a base portion configured to beremovably secured to one of the upper or lower carriage supports of thelift truck carriage via one or more attachments. A carriage scale isremovably secured to the base portion, the carriage scale configured tosupport one or more load handling fixtures.

In some examples, the one or more attachments extend into a spacebetween the masts of the lift truck to secure the weighing device to thelift truck carriage.

In examples, the one or more attachments comprises an upper attachmentand a lower attachment, the upper attachment including a hook to matewith a rail of the upper carriage support to support the weighingdevice.

In some examples, the lower attachment including a hook to mate with arail of the lower carriage support.

In some examples, the hook of the lower attachment is oriented upward tomate with a downwardly oriented rail of the lower carriage support

In some examples, the hook of the lower attachment is oriented downwardto mate with an upwardly oriented rail of the lower carriage support

In some examples, the one or more attachments are secured to the base byone or more fasteners.

In some examples, the one or more attachments are secured to the base bya weld.

In some examples, the one or more support brackets are dimensioned tofit at least partially within a channel of the masts.

In some disclosed examples, a lift truck attachment system includes alift truck carriage. The lift truck carriage includes one or moresupport brackets, a carriage support secured to the one or more supportbrackets, wherein the lift truck carriage is dimensioned to fit at leastpartially between masts of a lift truck. A weighing device includes abase portion configured to be removably secured to the carriage supportof the lift truck carriage via one or more attachments. A carriage scaleis removably secured to the base portion, the carriage scale configuredto support one or more load handling fixtures wherein the one or moreattachments extend into a space between the masts of the lift truck tosecure the weighing device to the lift truck carriage.

In some disclosed examples, a lift truck attachment system includes alift truck carriage. The lift truck carriage includes one or moresupport brackets, an upper carriage support secured to the one or moresupport brackets, and a lower carriage support secured to the one ormore support brackets and spaced from the upper carriage support,wherein the lift truck carriage is dimensioned to fit at least partiallybetween masts of a lift truck. A weighing device includes a baseportion, the base portion configured to be removably secured to one ofthe upper or lower carriage supports of the lift truck carriage via twoor more upper fasteners and one or more lower fasteners. And a carriagescale removably secured to the base portion, the carriage scaleconfigured to support one or more load handling fixtures.

In some examples, the two or more upper fasteners and one or more lowerfasteners extend into a space between the masts of the lift truck tosecure the weighing device to the lift truck carriage. In some examples,the two or more upper fasteners and one or more lower fasteners aresecured to the base by one or more fasteners oriented through one ormore holes in the front of the base.

In some examples, the two or more upper fasteners are arranged on thebase to accommodate one or more of wiring, electronics, centering pins,information or identification plates for the carriage scale. In someexamples, the two or more upper fasteners include a hook to mate with arail of the upper carriage support to support the weighing device.

In some examples, the one or more lower fasteners includes a hook tomate with a rail of the lower carriage support. In some examples, thehook of the or the one or more lower fasteners is oriented upward tomate with a downwardly oriented rail of the lower carriage support.

In some examples, the one or more support brackets are dimensioned tofit within a channel of the masts.

These and other features and advantages of the present invention will beapparent from the following detailed description, in conjunction withthe appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The benefits and advantages of the present invention will become morereadily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art afterreviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of an example lift truck attachmentsystem, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the example lift truck attachment systemof FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are alternative perspective views of the example lifttruck attachment system of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 4A is a front view of the example lift truck attachment system ofFIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIGS. 4B and 4C are side views of the example lift truck attachmentsystem of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front view, side views, and perspective front views of theexample lift truck attachment system of FIG. 1, in accordance withaspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a front view, side views, and perspective front views of theexample lift truck attachment system of FIG. 1, in accordance withaspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a rear view, side views, and perspective rear views of theexample lift truck attachment system of FIG. 1, in accordance withaspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear view and side views of the example lift truckattachment system of FIG. 1, in accordance with aspects of thisdisclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front view, side views, and perspective front views of theexample lift truck attachment system of FIG. 1, in accordance withaspects of this disclosure.

FIG. 10A is an exploded front perspective view of a conventional lifttruck attachment.

FIG. 10B is a front perspective view of a conventional lift truckattachment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of a conventional lift truckattachment.

The figures are not necessarily to scale. Where appropriate, similar oridentical reference numbers are used to refer to similar or identicalcomponents.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes a lift truck attachment system. In someexamples, the system includes a lift truck carriage having one or moresupport brackets, with an upper carriage support and a lower carriagesupport secured between two support brackets. As disclosed herein, thelift truck carriage is dimensioned to fit at least partially betweenopposing masts of a lift truck, such that a profile extension of theupper and lower carriage supports is reduced relative to conventionalsystems. In some examples, the lift carriage does not extend beyond aforward surface of the masts.

A device assembly is to be mounted to the lift truck carriage. Thedevice assembly includes a base portion configured to be removablysecured to one or both of the upper and lower carriage supports via oneor more attachments. The device assembly also includes a device, such asa carriage scale, which is removably secured to the base portion, thedevice configured to support one or more load handling fixtures, such asa lift fork.

In some examples, the two carriage supports are spaced apart from oneanother. In some examples, a single carriage support is used.

The disclosed lift truck attachment system provides advantages overconventional lift truck designs by enabling devices (i.e. a weighingdevice, a side-shifter, etc.) to be attached to the lift truck via adevice assembly with a reduced profile extension, as well as minimalloss in lifting capacity due to offsetting of the load (e.g., extendingthe load away from the front wheel axis of the lift truck). As shown inthe several figures, the lift attachment device is secured to the liftcarriage between upper and lower carriage supports, which aredimensioned to fit substantially between the lift truck masts (e.g.,within a channel thereof), in order to reduce the effective distancebetween the lift truck mast and a load and/or the load carryingfixtures, such as loading forks.

As disclosed herein, a device, such as a weighing device (e.g., aforklift scale) and/or a side-shifter, is secured to a lift carriage viaone or more attachments. Thus, the device assembly is supported by thelift carriage, which substantially fits within a channel of the truckmast such that a profile extension of the lift carriage is reducedrelative to conventional systems. In some examples, the lift carriagedoes not extend beyond a forward edge of the truck masts. Accordingly,the disclosed lift truck attachment provides the device assembly securedbetween the upper and lower carriage supports to reduce the effectivedistance between the lift truck masts and the load carrying fixtures,such as loading forks.

Advantageously, mounting of the disclosed attachment and lift carriagesupports, by fasteners and/or downward forces acting on mating surfaces,is simplified versus other methods, such as welding. The disclosedsystem allows for easy mounting and decoupling.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example lift truck attachment system 100, inaccordance with aspects of this disclosure. For example, masts 106 aresupported by a lift truck (not shown), which allow a lift truck carriage104 to move via a mechanical lift in response to a user command. Asdisclosed herein, a weighing device 102 is mounted to the carriage 104,and configured to support one or more forks or load handling fixtures108. Thus, an operator can command the lift truck attachment system 100to raise and/or lower to manipulate a load.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the example lift truck attachment system100. As shown, the carriage 104 includes support brackets 118 that fitwithin a channel 107 of the masts 106. In some examples, the supportbrackets 118 are mounted flush against the masts 106, with or without achannel, and controlled to rise and/or lower in response to a mechanicalforce (e.g., from a connected chain, hydraulic, etc.). Between thesupport brackets 118 are one or more cross members to support theweighing device 102. As shown in the example of FIG. 2, the one or morecross members can include an upper carriage support 120 and/or a lowercarriage support 122. Thus, the carriage 104 is configured to nestwithin the dimensions of the masts 106, such that support brackets 118and/or upper and lower carriage supports 120, 122 do not extend beyond afront edge of the masts 106. Thus, in contrast to conventional systems,the example lift truck attachment system 100 maintains a smaller profilebeyond the front edge of the masts 106.

The upper and lower carriage supports 120, 122 can provide one or morefasteners and/or mounting mechanisms to accept and/or secure theweighing device 102. In some examples, the weighing device 102 includesan upper attachment plate 114 configured to rest on upper carriagesupport 120, thereby supporting the weight of the weighing device 102and/or forks 108.

In examples, the upper attachment 114 can function as a simply supportedbeam on the upper carriage support 120, facilitating easy installationand removal, as well as added stability during use. As shown, upperattachment 114 can include notches and/or other features to ensure themating portion of the upper attachment 114 fits within a space betweenmasts 106. In some examples, a lower attachment plate can be employed toprovide additional stability (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5). In someexamples, other methods or mechanism can be employed to secure theweighing device 102 to the carriage 104, such as bolts and/or welding.

As disclosed herein, the weighing device 102 can include a base 112,such as a plate configured to support a carriage scale 110. The carriagescale 110 can include one or more load cells 116 to sense a supportedload, with the carriage scale 110 secured to the base 112 by the one ormore load cells 116. When assembled, forks 108 are supported by matinghook/attachment 126 with a top ridge of the carriage scale 110, therebyenabling the carriage scale 110 to weigh a load on the forks 108. Thus,the weight of a load supported by the forks 108 is sensed by the one ormore load cells 116. Although examples are provided with four load cells116, any number of load cells may be employed, such as two load cells(e.g. arranged at opposing ends of the weighing device 102), or a singleload cell (e.g. arranged at a central position of the weighing device102). Further, five or more load cells may be used, to support aparticular application.

In some examples, one or more load cells 116 are configured to measurethe shear force between the base 112 and the carriage scale 110. Devicesand/or components (not shown) may be connected to provide signalscorresponding to the output from the load cell(s) 116 for analysis,display, and/or recordation, for instance.

Additionally or alternatively, the carriage support between the supportbrackets 118 is a single cross member or plate to receive the weighingdevice 102.

In some examples, information regarding the sensed load is provided to acomputing platform for analysis, display, recordation, etc. For example,a processor can be configured to receive and translate information fromthe one or more load cells 116 into a digital format, for display to anoperator, to store in memory, transmission to another computingplatform, such as a central repository. In some examples, the weighingdevice 102 may include a computing platform, to perform all or part ofthese processing functions. In some examples, the weighing device 102may include a wired and/or wireless transceiver to transmit informationto another device for processing.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are alternative perspective views of the example lifttruck attachment system of FIG. 1. In the example of FIG. 3A, the uppercarriage support 120 has a support rail or ridge 130 on an upper surfaceto mate with attachment 114. The attachment 114 can be secured to thebase 112 by one or more fasteners 134 and/or by other securing methodsand/or mechanisms, such as welding. The lower carriage support 122 canoptionally include an internal groove 132 on the underside, which canprovide clearance to facilitate installation of one or more attachmentsto further secure the weighing device 102 to the carriage assembly 104.In some examples, the lower carriage support 122 can include a supportrail or ridge to accept an attachment.

FIG. 3B illustrates the weighing device 102 mounted to the carriage 104.As shown, the attachment 114 is designed to extend into the spacebetween the masts 106, thereby limiting the distance between the frontedge of the masts 106 and the base 112. Such an arrangement provides alower profile for the lift truck attachment system 100 versusconventional designs (e.g., shown in FIGS. 10 and 11), where supportmounts extend beyond the front edge of the masts. As shown in thedisclosed examples, the load bearing portion of the carriage supports120, 122 are substantially located between the masts 106. For example,the attachment 114 interfaces directly with upper carriage support 120,such that device mounting cross-members on the surface of the masts 106are avoided (see, e.g., FIGS. 10-11).

FIG. 4A is a front view of the example lift truck attachment system ofFIG. 1. As shown, a lower attachment 134 is included to provideadditional stability to the welding device 102 when mounted to thecarriage 104.

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of the unassembled weighing device 102and masts 106, with support brackets 118 shown arranged between themasts 106, such as within the channel 107. As shown, upper attachment114 has a hook or ridge 136 to mate with support rail 130 of the uppercarriage support 120. Lower attachment 134 has a hook or ridge 138 tomate with support rail 132 of lower carriage support 122.

Although illustrated as having mating ridges/hooks, the carriagesupports and/or attachments may be configured with additional oralternative mounting features, such as bolts and/or pins, such that theweighing device 102 is mounted directly to a carriage support.

In some examples, one or more of the attachment features (130, 132, 134,136) include a preloaded connection (such as a spring, bolt, pin, etc.)to absorb shock and/or to bias the mating surfaces toward one another,resulting in a force to maintain constant contact. In some examples, ashape of the mating surface can be modified to achieve a desiredperformance result. Such modifications can include a cast ball-shapedinterface, mating V-shaped contacts, grooves, ridges, etc.

As shown FIG. 4C, when assembled, the upper and lower attachments 114,134 extend into the space between the masts 106 to mate with the upperand lower carriage supports 120, 122 located between the masts 106.Thus, the effective distance between the lift truck masts 106 and theexternal facing surface 135 of the weighing device 102 is reduced, asshown by distance D, in contrast to conventional attachments (see, e.g.,FIG. 11B).

Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the lower attachment rails138 and ridge 132 of the lower carriage support can be reversed, suchthat the lower attachment 134 becomes load bearing. In some examples, aretaining device can be mounted to the weighing device 102 and/or one ofthe carriage supports 120, 122, to prevent the weighing device 102 frominadvertently dislodging from the carriage 104.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the weighing device 102 mounted to thecarriage 104. Top, bottom, side, and two perspective front views arealso provided. As shown, carriage support brackets 118 include one ormore lifting mechanisms 140 to support the carriage 104 within the masts106, which can be attached to a chain or other system to rise and/orlower the forks 108. FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the weighingdevice 102 removed from the carriage 104.

FIG. 7 is a rear view of the weighing device 102 mounted to the carriage104. Top, bottom, side, and two perspective rear views are alsoprovided. FIG. 8 illustrates a rear view of the weighing device 102removed from the carriage 104.

FIG. 9 is a front view of the weighing device 102 removed from thecarriage 104, similar to the device illustrated in FIG. 6. However, asshown in FIG. 9, the upper attachment plate 114 shown in FIG. 6 isreplaced by one or more fasteners 115 (e.g., hooks, bolts, etc.). Asshown, fasteners 115 can be secured to the base 112 via one or morebolts 117 from a variety of angles or directions. For example, the bolts117 shown in FIG. 9 secure the fastener 115 via machined holes on thefront of the base 112 rather than from the top (e.g., such as upperattachment plate 114). Fasteners 115 may be smaller than upperattachment plate 114, such that they can be arranged to accommodatevarious features of the load cell 102, for instance. In the example ofFIG. 9, two fasteners 115 are separated by a distance similar to lowerattachment 135, which may be at the same or at different heightsrelative to the base 112. This arrangement of fasteners 115 providesflexibility and/or space for wiring, electronics, centering pins,information or identification plates, for instance. Although theweighing device 102 shown in FIG. 9 provides two mounting fasteners, asingle fastener or three or more fasteners may be employed, depending onthe specific application. Top, bottom, side, and two perspective frontviews are also provided in FIG. 9.

FIGS. 10-11 illustrate examples of conventional lift assemblies. FIG.10A is an exploded front perspective view of a conventional lift truckattachment. As shown, the lift truck carriage includes a pair of supportbrackets 150. A top support rail 152 and a bottom support rail 154 areeach secured to and supported by the pair of support brackets 150. Bothtop and bottom support rails 152, 154 are attachment bearingcross-members mounted such that they extend beyond a front edge of thelift truck masts. Thus, mounting feature 156 secures the lift assemblyby mating with the externally placed support rails. FIG. 10B is a frontperspective view of an assembled conventional lift truck attachment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are side views of a conventional lift truckattachment. As shown, the lift assembly is secured to the supportbrackets 150 by mating mounting features 156 and 158 of the liftassembly with support rails 152, 154. As shown, support rails 152, 154extend beyond the front edge of the masts. Thus, when assembled, theupper and lower mounting features 156 and 158 extend beyond the frontedge of the masts, such that the effective distance between the lifttruck masts and the external surface of the lift assembly is increasedby at least the size of the support rails, as shown by distance L.

In comparison to conventional systems, the lift attachment system 100 asdisclosed herein reduces this distance by at least arranging thecarriage supports 120, 122 between the lift truck masts 106. Thisprovides an advantage, as the greater displacement of the conventionaldesign reduces the relative effective lifting capacity of the lifttruck.

As utilized herein, “and/or” means any one or more of the items in thelist joined by “and/or”. As an example, “x and/or y” means any elementof the three-element set {(x), (y), (x, y)}. In other words, “x and/ory” means “one or both of x and y”. As another example, “x, y, and/or z”means any element of the seven-element set {(x), (y), (z), (x, y), (x,z), (y, z), (x, y, z)}. In other words, “x, y and/or z” means “one ormore of x, y and z”. As utilized herein, the term “exemplary” meansserving as a non-limiting example, instance, or illustration. Asutilized herein, the terms “e.g.,” and “for example” set off lists ofone or more non-limiting examples, instances, or illustrations.

While the present method and/or system has been described with referenceto certain implementations, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes may be made and equivalents may besubstituted without departing from the scope of the present methodand/or system. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt aparticular situation or material to the teachings of the presentdisclosure without departing from its scope. For example, systems,blocks, and/or other components of disclosed examples may be combined,divided, re-arranged, and/or otherwise modified. Therefore, the presentmethod and/or system are not limited to the particular implementationsdisclosed. Instead, the present method and/or system will include allimplementations falling within the scope of the appended claims, bothliterally and under the doctrine of equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A lift truck attachment system comprising: a lifttruck carriage comprising: one or more support brackets; an uppercarriage support secured to the one or more support brackets; and alower carriage support secured to the one or more support brackets andspaced from the upper carriage support, wherein the lift truck carriageis dimensioned to fit at least partially between masts of a lift truck;and a weighing device comprising: a base portion, the base portionconfigured to be removably secured to one of the upper or lower carriagesupports of the lift truck carriage via one or more attachments; and acarriage scale removably secured to the base portion, the carriage scaleconfigured to support one or more load handling fixtures.
 2. The lifttruck attachment system of claim 1, wherein the one or more attachmentsextend into a space between the masts of the lift truck to secure theweighing device to the lift truck carriage.
 3. The lift truck attachmentsystem of claim 1, wherein the one or more attachments comprises anupper attachment and a lower attachment, the upper attachment includinga hook to mate with a rail of the upper carriage support to support theweighing device.
 4. The lift truck attachment system of claim 3, whereinthe lower attachment including a hook to mate with a rail of the lowercarriage support.
 5. The lift truck attachment system of claim 4,wherein the hook of the lower attachment is oriented upward to mate witha downwardly oriented rail of the lower carriage support
 6. The lifttruck attachment system of claim 4, wherein the hook of the lowerattachment is oriented downward to mate with an upwardly oriented railof the lower carriage support
 7. The lift truck attachment system ofclaim 1, wherein the one or more attachments are secured to the base byone or more fasteners.
 8. The lift truck attachment system of claim 1,wherein the one or more attachments are secured to the base by a weld.9. The lift truck attachment system of claim 1, wherein the one or moresupport brackets are dimensioned to fit within a channel of the masts.10. A lift truck attachment system comprising: a lift truck carriagecomprising: one or more support brackets; a carriage support secured tothe one or more support brackets, wherein the lift truck carriage isdimensioned to fit at least partially between masts of a lift truck; anda device assembly comprising: a base portion, the base portionconfigured to be removably secured to the carriage support of the lifttruck carriage via one or more attachments; and a device removablysecured to the base portion, the device configured to support one ormore load handling fixtures wherein the one or more attachments extendinto a space between the masts of the lift truck to secure the deviceassembly to the lift truck carriage.
 11. The lift truck attachmentsystem of claim 10, wherein the device is a carriage scale to measure aload supported by the one or more load handling fixtures.
 12. The lifttruck attachment system of claim 10, wherein the device is aside-shifter to move the one or more load handling fixtureshorizontally.
 13. A lift truck attachment system comprising: a lifttruck carriage comprising: one or more support brackets; an uppercarriage support secured to the one or more support brackets; and alower carriage support secured to the one or more support brackets andspaced from the upper carriage support, wherein the lift truck carriageis dimensioned to fit at least partially between masts of a lift truck;and a weighing device comprising: a base portion, the base portionconfigured to be removably secured to one of the upper or lower carriagesupports of the lift truck carriage via two or more upper fasteners andone or more lower fasteners; and a carriage scale removably secured tothe base portion, the carriage scale configured to support one or moreload handling fixtures.
 14. The lift truck attachment system of claim13, wherein the two or more upper fasteners and one or more lowerfasteners extend into a space between the masts of the lift truck tosecure the weighing device to the lift truck carriage.
 15. The lifttruck attachment system of claim 13, wherein the two or more upperfasteners and one or more lower fasteners are secured to the base by oneor more fasteners oriented through one or more holes in the front of thebase.
 16. The lift truck attachment system of claim 13, wherein the twoor more upper fasteners are arranged on the base to accommodate one ormore of wiring, electronics, centering pins, information oridentification plates for the carriage scale.
 17. The lift truckattachment system of claim 13, wherein the two or more upper fastenersinclude a hook to mate with a rail of the upper carriage support tosupport the weighing device.
 18. The lift truck attachment system ofclaim 13, wherein the one or more lower fasteners includes a hook tomate with a rail of the lower carriage support.
 19. The lift truckattachment system of claim 18, wherein the hook of the or the one ormore lower fasteners is oriented upward to mate with a downwardlyoriented rail of the lower carriage support.
 20. The lift truckattachment system of claim 13, wherein the one or more support bracketsare dimensioned to fit within a channel of the masts.